tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2276948832935763913.post7062798197051088441..comments2022-11-21T03:08:36.334-08:00Comments on Financial Planning for Today's Woman: Health Care LegislationKitty O'Keefehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07785645909427277618noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2276948832935763913.post-23216575175554179242009-07-23T15:25:58.015-07:002009-07-23T15:25:58.015-07:00I totally agree with you Kitty, but I would like t...I totally agree with you Kitty, but I would like to see the big companies make the first move.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2276948832935763913.post-412756608394869172009-07-20T20:33:24.971-07:002009-07-20T20:33:24.971-07:00Thanks for your comment, Carol. The CBO's sug...Thanks for your comment, Carol. The CBO's suggestion that tax subsidies that support large health care plans be lessened as a way to help pay the cost of expanded health care is being resisted by unions. The fact that unions are resisting this is understandable, just as the lobbyists who support doctors interest in increasing the formula for payment of medicare benefits, and drug companies who lobby to protect their profits as a way to pay the extraordinary costs of research and development of new drugs, and insurance companies who lobby to exclude a huge government provider that can price them out of the market. I take no sides here, but point out that all interests have some basis for their position. The fact is, however, that in its current state, health care legislation does not meet its stated goal of cost efficiency. Some compromise must be made, but thus far, no interest group has done so, and without such compromise, the legislation is likely to fail.<br />Thanks for your opinion.Kitty O'Keefehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07785645909427277618noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2276948832935763913.post-71362293295419790432009-07-20T10:13:54.612-07:002009-07-20T10:13:54.612-07:00Kitty,
I am thankful for my health care coverage ...Kitty,<br /><br />I am thankful for my health care coverage provided to me through my union contracts. They used to be much better, but now some of the cost-cutting has hurt especially in the area of "acceptable" drugs. I have friends who envy my plan because they need to get pre-approval on any other doctor they wish to see. My fear is that this provision will change. The patient should have a say who they want to see and when, and insurance companies should not determine the best cause of medical action--that should be between patient and doctor.<br /><br />But getting back to the unions...can you imagine how many more Americans would not be insured if it weren't for the unions?? And btw, not all unions have great plans to begin with. But something is better than nothing. Unions IMO built the middle class. <br /><br />I want health care for all Americans, but I want the plans to be fair. Many doctors don't accept my plan. But thanks to the savings over the years due to my co-pay which is now $15-$20, my plan allows me to see other doctors-like my orthopedic surgeon-who does not participate in my plan. My insurance coverage gives me $30 for that $200 visit. I think the rate some doctors are paid under these plans, like mine, are low, and I can see the AMA's point. But some doctors charges are way too high. But then again, they have a payroll to meet. <br /><br />If the gov't can find a way to bring down the costs of procedures, treatments and tests that now make it impossible for many Americans to get necessary treatment, that would be a fantastic start. <br /><br />But the whole medical industry, from the cost of drugs to manufacturers of medical equipment, IMO is holding us back. <br /><br /> I cannot fault the unions at this time because any tax break the middle class can get helps make ends meet. Keep in mind that not all union jobs pay great. My building staff is part of a union, but are still low paid.<br />My father's hotel union also had horrible health benefits, but thankfully doctors at that time didn't charge an arm and a leg, so they were still able to see the local family doctor. Medicare was a life saver when they were both diagnosed with cancer in their latter years. Without it, we could not have afforded any of the care they received.<br /><br />This is a messy situation. Personally I want universal health care, but my gut tells me the little guy will still get screwed.<br /><br />CarolAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com